Prep School August 27, 2026
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Prep School Highlights
Prep School Highlights
Tuesday, Sept. 8
Orientation Day for NEW Year 1 to 7 students, 8:30–11:45 a.m.
Wednesday, Sept. 9
First day of classes for ALL Year 1 to Year 7 students. Arrival is between 8–8:30 a.m. (no late start)
Friday, Sept. 11
Half day for JK and SK students, 8–11:30 a.m.
👕 UCC spirit wear dress (guidelines are here)
Monday, Sept. 14
First full day of school for JK and SK students
📷 Prep Photo Day
👔 Students in Years 5 to 7 to wear First Dress
Used Uniform drop-off, 8–8:30 a.m.
Year 6 and 7 Welcome Back Information Evening, 7– 8:30 p.m.
THIS WEEK AT THE PREP
THIS WEEK AT THE PREP
Prep Leadership Team
Dear Prep Families,
We know everyone is excited about the return to school! Please see some revised notes below for important information about arrival and dismissal procedures. We will also include them again in next week’s Heads Up.
Arrival/Drop-Off
A few notes on morning arrival to help the beginning of the year run smoothly.
Families in Years 1 to 7 driving to school should drop off their child at the front of the Prep, by the Peacock Arch. Please note the following procedures:
When entering the drop-off/pick-up loop at the Prep, families must pull their car forward as far west as possible (in front of the Peacock Arch) before coming to a full stop.
Student greeters or a Prep employee will do their best to help each family by opening their car door, saying good morning, and welcoming your child to school. It is especially helpful if your child is seated on the right side of the car to expedite drop-off.
We kindly request that families not park and get out of their car or stop for extended periods of time during morning drop-off.
JK and SK families driving to UCC should drop off their child at the drop-off/pick-up loop on the west side of the Prep School just north of the Lonsdale Road and Forest Hill Road intersection.
When entering the drop-off/pick-up loop, please follow the one-way directional signs by using the north entrance to the drop-off/pick-up loop. We respectfully ask that families approach the drop-off/pick-up loop by driving south on Forest Hill Road.
When entering the drop-off/pick-up loop, an employee will welcome your child to school. It is especially helpful if your child is seated on the left side of the car to expedite drop-off.
We kindly request that families not park and get out of their car or stop for extended periods of time during morning drop-off.
Special note: If families would like to walk their child to the Prep’s front entrance during drop off, please park at the east end of the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex parking lot. There is ample parking in this location.
Dismissal/Pick-up
A few notes on afternoon dismissal to help the beginning of the year run smoothly.
Students are dismissed on a staggered schedule to ease congestion.
3:10 p.m. (JK to Year 2)
3:25 p.m. (Years 3 and 4)
3:40 p.m. (Year 5)
3:50 p.m. (Year 6 and 7)
Teachers will accompany students in Years 1 to 4 to the Peacock Arch in front of the Prep.
When entering the pick-up/drop-off loop at the Prep by the Peacock Arch, families must pull their car forward as far west as possible (in front of the Peacock Arch) before coming to a full stop.
Form advisers in Years 1 to 4 will do their best to help each family by saying hello and wishing your child a wonderful evening.
Teachers will accompany students in JK and SK to the pick-up/drop-off loop on the west side of the Prep just north of the Lonsdale Road and Forest Hill Road intersection
When entering the pick-up/drop-off loop, please follow the one-way directional signs by using the north entrance to the pick-up/drop-off loop. We respectfully ask that families approach the pick-up/drop off loop by driving south on Forest Hill Road.
When entering the pick-up/drop-off loop, an employee will assist your child with getting to your car.
We kindly request that families not park and get out of their car or stop for extended periods of time during afternoon pick up.
It is important that parents/guardians do not park in the pick-up/drop-off lanes before the appropriate dismissal time, as that creates significant congestion.
In order for this process to work as efficiently as possible, please do not arrive early and wait in line. This causes a vehicle backup and delays everyone.
We value the opportunity for families to have a connection moment with their child’s teacher each day. However, please remember to refrain from talking to teachers at length, especially if you are in a car, as teachers are supervising dismissal.
Special note: If families would like to walk to pick up their child to the drop -off/pick-up loop on the west side of the Prep, please park at the east end of the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex parking lot. There is ample parking in this location.
Students in Years 5 to 7 exit the Prep independently at dismissal. Please arrange with your child how they will be picked up or travel home.
If we all work together, we can make drop-off a pleasant and efficient experience for all families.
Your partners in education,
Year 5–7 | Footwear and uniform
Year 5–7 | Footwear and uniform
Students in Years 5 to 7 should have a pair of polishable dress shoes to wear on First Dress days, and all black running shoes for all other days. Please see more details concerning the uniform in the Family Handbook by following this link.
Year 4–7 | Locking lockers
Year 4–7 | Locking lockers
All students in Years 4 to 7 are required to lock their lockers at all times. Unless a student still has their double padlock from last year, they will be required to purchase a double padlock at the beginning of this school year. This will allow students to lock their book and athletic lockers with padlocks that require the same combination.
Register | Private music lessons
Register | Private music lessons
Lesson information:
Lessons are usually scheduled once a week by our private teachers
Cost is $44 per lesson (1/2 hr)
Available for all band instruments for Years 5 to 12
Available for violin, piano, guitar and bass for Years 3 to 12
Lesson times are first come, first serve (teachers will reach out to you to schedule)
Lesson times can occur during the school day only at 7:30 a.m.–6 p.m.
For more information and to register, please use this application form.
Reasons for lessons could be:
Recreational
Assistance with keeping pace with the curricular program
Wanting to be "the best they can be" (soloist, leader in the bands)
Completion of RCM exams
Getting a head start on the music program
Advancing musical skills
Assistance with skill development.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out.
Sincerely,
SK–Year 5 Music Teacher
Apply | Explore the World with UCC Global Experiences!
Apply | Explore the World with UCC Global Experiences!
Applications are now open for UCC’s four exciting 2026–27 exchange opportunities in France, Spain, Argentina and Montreal!
These programs offer students the chance to strengthen their language skills, experience another culture firsthand, build meaningful connections, and develop their Lang Leadership skills.
Click on the poster and select the city icons to explore the exchange opportunities, important dates, eligibility, and application information.
Alternatively, please use this link to view the poster in full.
Toronto Public Health | Head lice reminder
Toronto Public Health | Head lice reminder
Dear Parents,
As we return back to school, it's essential to check for head lice. Occurrences of head lice can be common among school-age children. Although itching of the scalp is the most frequent symptom, it is important to note that some children may not experience any itching at all. If you suspect your son may have head lice, a thorough check of his hair is necessary to identify any signs of lice or eggs (nits).
To check for eggs, part the hair into sections and look for tiny, oval-shaped particles attached close to the scalp along the hair shaft. These eggs are typically found in a halo pattern around the temples, behind the ears, or at the nape of the neck. Lice eggs are tear-shaped, brown in colour, and firmly attached to only one side of the hair shaft. If you find any eggs, you should use a special lice treatment shampoo, which the pharmacist can recommend.
It's essential to understand that head lice are not a reflection of poor hygiene. Lice can spread through the sharing of personal items such as combs, brushes, towels, earphones, hats, stuffed toys, pillows, and clothing. Please remind your child not to share these items. If your child has head lice, it is crucial to check all family members and thoroughly clean your household. Lice will die within 24-48 hours without a human host. To clean your environment, you can dry items in a dryer for 20-30 minutes on high heat, vacuum non-washable items, and set aside items that cannot be dried or vacuumed for 24-48 hours.
For more information on head lice and treatment options, please refer to the LiceSquad and Toronto Public Health websites.
Please feel free to contact the health centre if you have any questions or concerns.
Thank you for your cooperation,
Lunch information
Lunch information
With the cooperation of Aramark, our food services provider, we offer all students the following options at lunch.
The hot lunch program (includes beverages)
The menu, which operates on a three-week cycle, offers soup, one main entrée, one vegetarian entrée, a sandwich/salad bar and dessert every day. Milk and water (and chocolate milk as an occasional treat) are included.
Bag lunches will be prepared for field trips as required for hot lunch participants.
Registration and fee information are below.
Lunch from home
Parents may opt to send lunch with their child. Thanks to the Prep Parent Organization, microwave ovens are available for all students.
A reminder that we are a peanut/nut-free school and ask that lunches be shellfish-free as well.
Lunch Schedule
JK–Year 3 (lunch begins at 11:45 a.m.)
All JK to Year 2 students eat lunch in their classroom
Year 3 students will eat in Weston Hall
Home lunches must be nut/peanut and shellfish-free
There is also a snack program available to JK and SK students
Year 4–5 (lunch begins at 11:45 a.m.)
Students will eat in the Dining Hall
Home lunches must be nut/peanut and shellfish-free
Year 6–7 (lunch begins at 12:15 p.m.)
Students will eat in the Dining Hall or Weston Hall
Home lunches must be nut/peanut and shellfish-free
Register | Hot Lunch Program
Register | Hot Lunch Program
Fees for the hot lunch program and snack program are listed in the table below.
To register, please sign up via your child's student profile page. To access the profile page, follow the instructions here.
Expectations
Prior to registering for the hot lunch program, we would ask you to review a sample menu here and consider which option best meets your child’s needs. Students will be encouraged to make sound nutritional choices and will be expected to finish with little or no food waste.
Please note:
If you subscribe to one of the programs, the fee is added to your child’s account on a term-by-term basis. Once registered at the beginning of the year, students remain registered unless the parents advise the Prep Office by email.
There will be no credit for days remaining in a term if a parent withdraws from the program during the term or for days missed because of any absence. Students cannot sign up part-way through a term.
After School Program | Fall clubs
After School Program | Fall clubs
For the new families joining our UCC community, welcome! The After School Program runs from Kindergarten dismissal (3:10 p.m.) to 6 p.m. daily. Pre-registration for extended care, excluding fall clubs, is not required. Please see the Family Handbook for more information.
Here at the ASP, we are busy planning a combination of new and exciting clubs to complement some past favourites. Please find information about our clubs here. Fall term clubs will run for 10 weeks (excluding holidays), from Monday, Sept. 21 to Friday, Nov. 27.
RSVP | Parent coffee and conversation
RSVP | Parent coffee and conversation
The Prep Parent Organization (PPO) are thrilled to invite parents to our PPO Coffee Socials to connect with other parents in their child’s year. Please RSVP using the links below:
All PPO Coffee Socials take place in the Foster Hewitt Foundation Lounge (inside the William P. Wilder ’40 Arena & Sports Complex) from 8:30–10:00 a.m. Please ensure cars are removed from the Parkin lot by 10:15 a.m. to allow recess to begin.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Sign up | Become an occasional volunteer with the PPO!
Sign up | Become an occasional volunteer with the PPO!
As we prepare for another exciting year at the Prep, we invite all parents to be a part of our vibrant school community by joining the team of dedicated volunteers.
This is a wonderful way to build new connections, directly impact your child's UCC experience and contribute to the overall growth of our school. There are several fun and diverse volunteer opportunities available at the Prep to suit your schedule. To explore current opportunities and sign up, please click here.
Thank you for volunteering!
Order | Prep T-shirt bundle
Order | Prep T-shirt bundle
The PPO is proud to launch a limited-edition three-shirt bundle to support the meaningful awareness days we observe as a school community:
💜 Purple Shirt — Rowan’s Law Day (Sept. 30): Honouring concussion awareness and safety
🧡 Orange Shirt — Truth and Reconciliation Day (Sept. 30): Featuring a powerful mural design by Indigenous artist Philip Cote
🩷 Pink Shirt — Anti-Bullying Day (Feb. 24): Promoting kindness, inclusion and respect
💜 Purple Shirt — International Women's Day (March 8): Recognizing women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements
Each bundle includes all three shirts for $42.99, and with every purchase, $1 will be donated to each of the following organizations:
Concussion Legacy Foundation
Indigenous Spirit Fund
Kids Help Phone
Place your order here prior to Sept. 11, 2026.
Let’s wear our values proudly and support these important causes together!
Donate | Used Uniform Sale
Donate | Used Uniform Sale
Support shopping sustainably
Has your son grown out of last year's uniform? As you clean out your closets, please set aside gently used uniform items for our first Used Uniform Sale of the year. Donations are always welcome, but please do not drop off stained, ripped or non-UCC clothing.
NEW — Curbside collection
To make things easier, we will be collecting donations right at morning drop off on Monday, Sept. 14 from 7:50–8:30 a.m. Pull up, hand over your bag and you are done!
Can't make it Monday? No problem! Donations can also be dropped off anytime in the blue bin located in the basement of the Prep.
Mark your calendars
The first Used Uniform Sale will be on Wednesday, Sept. 16 from 2:30–4:00 p.m. and Thursday, Sept. 17 from 8–9:15 a.m. at the Wilder Arena!
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